People

Meet the people who power our lab.


Graduate Students





Erin Snyder

6th Year Graduate Student

Project: Synthesis and analysis of nanoparticles films of photovoltaic material
Originally From: Waterville, OH
Education: B.A. in Chemistry, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL
Interests/Spends Time: Acting, singing all the time, traveling, wine and cheese, and rowing.

Email: erin.snyder@colostate.edu





Luke MacHale

5th Year Graduate Student, Co-advised by Rick Finke

Project: Kinetics and pathways of ternary nanoparticle formation, platinum nanoparticle synthesis, barium sulfide studies
Originally From: Montrose, CO
Education: B.S. in Chemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Interests/Spends Time: Climbing, skiing, biking and photography.

Email: luke.machale@colostate.edu





Rhys Otten

4th Year Graduate Student (SAMD)

Project: Designing and fabricating an optical electrochemical cell for battery characterization, investigating the mechanical properties of electrodeposited thin films
Originally From: Aberdeen, SD
Education: B.S. Physics, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD
Interests/Spends Time: Trying new coffee, local beer, ski runs, and mountain biking trails. Also, driving to and from NREL.

Email: rhys.otten@colostate.edu





Jessica Gallawa

4th Year Graduate Student

Project: Optimizing the electrodeposition of SnSb and investigating the role of composition on battery performance
Originally From: Bellevue, WA
Education:B.S. in Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
Interests/Spends Time: Board games, astronomy, sci-fi novels, and movies.

Email: jessica.gallawa@colostate.edu





Sara Robinson

3rd Year Graduate Student, Co-advised by Garret Miyake

Project: Nanoparticle Synthesis
Originally From: Gladwyne, PA
Education: B.A. in Chemistry, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
Interests/Spends Time: Good food and drinks, ultimate frisbee, board games, climbing, and spending time in nature.

Email: sara.robinson@colostate.edu





Monika Perez

3rd Year Graduate Student

Project: Nanoparticle synthesis for batteries
Originally From: Olathe, KS
Education: B.S. in Chemistry with Minor in Mathematics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Interests/Spends Time: Playing board games, hiking, casual climbing, eating yummy food, good beer with friends, winning at Mario Kart.

Email: monika.perez@colostate.edu





Ren Borgia

3rd Year Graduate Student, Co-advised by Jamie Neilson

Project: Photovoltaics
Originally From: College Park, MD
Education: B.S. in Chemistry with Minors in Physics and Atmospheric Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Interests/Spends Time: Powerlifting, board games, hiking, camping, spending time outdoors, and vegan cooking.

Email: lauren.borgia@colostate.edu





Hala Soliman

2nd Year Graduate Student

Project: Cathode materials for Na-ion batteries
Originally From: Harrisburg, NC
Education: B.A. in Chemistry, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Interests/Spends Time: Playing Super Mario Bros, skiing, talking about art and fashion, and baking.

Email: hala.soliman@colostate.edu





Gladys Duran

2nd Year Graduate Student (SAMD)

Project: Batteries
Originally From: Michoacán, México
Education: B.S. in Materials Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico de Morelia, Michoacán, México
Interests/Spends Time: Cooking, hiking, puzzles, and movies.

Email: gladys.duran_duran@colostate.edu





Mirella Villani

1st Year Graduate Student

Project: Nanoparticle Synthesis
Originally From: Grosse Pointe, MI
Education: B.A. in Chemistry, Kalamazoo College, MI
Interests/Spends Time: Lifting, hiking, making sweet treats, TedTalks, and Pinterests.

Email: mirella.villani@colostate.edu